The CFO Show

Have you ever been frustrated with your work, putting in so much effort, hitting every deadline, to then feel stuck in a never-ending cycle? Never having the time or energy to make the systematic changes needed for more efficient processes?There are many reasons why we feel stuck, but there are also solutions to break the cycle. Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller sit down to acknowledge the frustrating cycles as well as bring answers to how companies can change their systems by thinking bigger, working ahead, and prioritizing the projects needed to grow the business.Discussed in This Episode:Why it’s easy in finance to get wrapped up in the day-to-day and neglect larger projectsHow tracking your time can help teams move forward in the long runReducing teams' stress while also making progress as a teamWhen to look at the bigger picture, even when it comes to small tasksFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

When you hear “Gen-Z,” what are the first words or characteristics that come to mind? Perhaps it’s a motley mix of terms like, TikTok, climate change, transparency, honesty, and social responsibility. Now, apply all of those qualities to a modern workforce. Generation Z is defined as anyone born between 1997 and 2012, putting the eldest of the group in their mid-twenties. They are the only generation to grow up blind to a world without the internet which has made them naturally more curious, direct, and technologically and data-savvy than generations prior. Hosts Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller welcome Janine Moir, National Digital Assurance Leader and A&A Innovation Leader at Deloitte Canada to discuss qualities of the demographic that make them unique and ideal additions to today’s workforce. Discussed in This Episode:How Gen-Z is modernizing the workplaceLeadership keys to employee growth and retention Why management isn’t for everyoneWhat consistently makes Deloitte one of the best places to workBest advice for leadersFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

An IPO is a major milestone in the history of any company. But what happens after the debut? A company’s life after an IPO can be a broad and significant shift from cultural transitions to systems and process changes that impact everyone from entry and mid-level employees to executives in the C-Suite, including the CFO. Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller sit down with Sukaran Mehta, Chief Financial Officer at global learning platform Docebo, as he traces the company’s post-IPO journey. Discussed in This Episode:Understanding and selling the company storyAdapting new day-to-day systems and processesHelping employees acclimate to a new cultureNurturing and growing relationships with investorsAdvice for CFO’s post-IPOFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

The new year is quickly approaching, and after 2023 being the year of AI and economic uncertainty, who knows what 2024 will bring? With more uncertainty on the horizon, including inflation and interest rate fluctuations, predicting the financial landscape in 2024 is a tricky proposition. Nevertheless, preparing for the road ahead is a crucial component of a CFO’s role. Hosts Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller break down their predictions of not only the future of finance but also how finance teams will adapt and evolve in 2024.Discussed in This Episode:Interest rates, inflation, the funding climate, and a potential recessionHow geopolitical uncertainty will impact the finance worldAI and how it will influence the reallocation of tasks and talentThe rise of efficiency and operational excellenceThe ongoing importance of organizational designFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Picture a football game: the quarterback drops back to scan the field, reads the defense, and fires a pass to an open receiver. Touchdown! Now picture a CFO: the quarterback of a finance team, reading the economic landscape, assessing risks, and making smart, decisive moves that score major wins for their organization.The parallels between finance and football run deep. Both professions involve teamwork, competition, practice, adaptability, and pressure. To unpack the similarities, Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller welcome Dan Crumb, CFO of the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, to the show. As Dan explains, football and finance might be different, but success in both requires the same ingredients.Discussed in This Episode:How finance and football approach team-buildingThe equivalent of winning a Super Bowl in financeWhat we can learn from coaches about rallying our teamsKeys to effective communication and teamworkWhy both types of teams must plan for every scenarioFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.Resources:How To Use Financial Reporting To Reduce Your Operational Costs, Add Efficiencies, and Align Your Business5 Ways To Adapt Your Financial and Operational Planning for Today's Volatile Business Environment

Businesses today spend an average of 52% of their budget on their workforce. Some go as high as 70%. The expense is worth it, of course, as the only way to true financial success is by having the right talent. But given this enormous cost, it’s worth asking: are the people metrics you’re tracking the ones that will make the biggest impact on your business? Or are you missing out on the full potential of your workforce?To help us understand the people metrics that matter, Melissa Howatson welcomes RJ Milnor to the show. RJ is the Founder and CEO of People Analytics Partners and was formerly the Global Head of People Analytics at Uber. Through his research and experience, RJ has uncovered some remarkable insights and truths about the way we work, how it’s evolved post-pandemic, and what the future of work looks like.Discussed in This Episode:The surest indicator of high-value employeesWhat to analyze to see how your M&A integration is goingA viable replacement for productivity-killing meetingsHow to get the greatest ROI out of office spacesOne word of advice for leaders to be more effectiveFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

As each year draws to a close, CFOs are gearing up for one of the most critical tasks in their financial calendar: the year-end financial close. There are key areas to focus on and best practices to ensure this process goes smoothly… but what happens when it doesn’t? More importantly, what is it that trips finance teams up at the last minute?To explore the ins and outs of year-end close, hosts Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller sit down with Benno van Ingen, Lead Consultant CFO Tech, Finext. Benno has served in various financial roles over the past 20 years, giving him extensive experience with corporate financial processes and firsthand insight into how things can go awry.Discussed in This Episode:How an organization is hampered by a lackluster year-end closeThe specific pitfalls that finance teams want to avoidWays to mitigate the time crunch associated with this processLegacy tools and systems that can prevent a successful closeEpisode Resources:7 Ways To Conquer Your Year-End Close NightmaresThe Ultimate Guide to Financial CloseFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Agility and efficiency are more important than ever for finance teams, which places an outsized importance on the quality of an organization’s tech stack. A good finance tech stack can help you automate tasks, improve visibility into your data, and make better decisions.But with a plethora of options out there, building and implementing the right tech stack for your organization can be difficult. To help you know what to expect at every step of this journey, Melissa Howatson welcomes William Liang, Managing Director at ProLytics Consulting Group, to the show. Over the past 13 years, William has provided world-class planning and forecasting services solutions in a wide variety of industries, including financial services.Join us as we discuss:Sorting through a crowded fintech space to find the right optionWho to engage with to make tech decisions for your organizationMistakes that can hinder digital transformation effortsPersonnel requirements to ensure a smooth implementationHow decision-makers should think about integrating their systemsAdditional resources:How To Build a Finance Tech Stack That Works for You: https://bit.ly/3PuS4FF

In today’s business landscape, the relationship between the CFO, CEO, and Board of Directors is a pivotal axis that can either drive an organization to new heights or lead it astray. To better understand the intricacies of this relationship, Melissa Howatson and Tom Seegmiller enlist the help of someone with a unique point of view: Kim Eaton, Operating Managing Director at Vista Equity Partners. Kim has served as both a CEO and a board member, giving her unique insights into what causes this relationship to flourish (and what makes it fall apart).Discussed in This Episode:How CFOs can help build a shared trust with their CEO and boardTips for managing a productive board meetingHandling disagreements in a way that preserves relationshipsThe importance of pre-meeting touch points (e.g. the board dinner)Traits of the most effective CFOs from the board’s perspectiveEpisode Resources:Managing Your Relationship as the CFO With the CEO and Board of DirectorsFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Every career path is unique. For many CFOs, though, their paths share a common destination: the CEO’s office. What does the journey from CFO to CEO look like?This transition requires more than mastering the balance sheets. Being a CEO demands a unique blend of strategic vision, leadership finesse, and a fearless appetite for risk. To give us a firsthand perspective of this shift, host Melissa Howatson welcomes Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire Resources Americas Inc. Lincoln, who’s spent 35 years climbing the ranks of finance and FP&A across six industries, shares the opportunities and challenges that arose as part of his transition from CFO to CEO.Discussed in This Episode:The new skills CFOs need to succeed as CEOUnforeseen challenges that new CEOs should watch out forHow leadership styles evolve in your new roleSpecific areas of development CFOs should focus onEpisode Resources:How To Get on the Finance Leadership Track: 5 Pieces of Advice for Future CFOs7 Principles of the Agile Finance Leader | 0.5 CPE | Vena AcademyFor CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.